NFC Championshp Game Observations, 2020

[FredFan7]

Enjoy the game!

R 34 Clete Blakeman 4 WC, 3 DIV, 3 CC, SB 50
U 20 Barry Anderson WC, 5 DIV, 1 CC, LIV
DJ 28 Mark Hittner 8 WC†, 3 DIV, 9 CC, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XL
LJ 101 Carl Johnson 3 WC, 7 DIV, 3 CC, XLII, LIV
FJ 15 Rick Patterson 8 WC, 7 DIV, 3 CC, XXXVII, XXXIX
SJ 41 Boris Cheek 3 WC, 3 DIV, 2 CC, LIII
BJ 46 Perry Paganelli 6 WC, 8 DIV, 6 CC, XLI, LII
ALT R 19 Clay Martin 1 WC, 1 DIV*
ALT U 81 Roy Ellison 3 WC, 5 DIV*, 4 CC, XLIII, LII
ALT DJ 134 Ed Camp 4 WC, 7 DIV*, 1 CC, LIII
ALT LJ 98 Greg Bradley 2 WC*
ALT FJ 104 Dale Shaw 1 WC*, 3 DIV
ALT SJ 56 Allen Baynes 5 WC, 3 DIV*, 3 CC
ALT BJ 78 Greg Meyer 3 WC, 5 DIV*, 6 CC, XLIV


Replay official: Mike Chase
Replay assistant: Dexter McNabb
Alternate replay official: Brian Matoren

[FredFan7]

[FredFan7]

Nice coin toss moment.

streamable.com/y8n26j

[FredFan7]

In real time, it looked like the receiver wasn't touched down. But replay clearly shows the receiver down by contact.

streamable.com/gijkoh

[FredFan7]

Just a quick clip of umpire Barry Anderson getting into position for the snap.

The umpire has to run up to the new spot, place the ball down, then get into the backfield quickly so he doesn't hold up a no-huddle offense.

When the umpire was in his traditional position, he had to do less running.

Now that the umpire is in the backfield, he has to be quick and mobile.

[wilburthegoose]

On the GB first TD. Why wasn’t there a call for illegal formation? Two eligible receivers on the left end of the line were both in the line of scrimmage.

[FredFan7]

Close call. It was reversed to a touchback. This is a play replay can fix.

[FredFan7]

Jan 24, 2021 15:44:10 GMT -5 wilburthegoose said:

On the GB first TD. Why wasn’t there a call for illegal formation? Two eligible receivers on the left end of the line were both in the line of scrimmage.

Game of inches. Officials will give the benefit of the doubt if the slot receiver demonstrates he's behind the WR - even if it is just a few inches.

Unless there is an exotic formation, you have a receiver that is clearly forward compared to the other one. Not going to nitpick unless there's something really deceptive/unusual

[FredFan7]

Paganelli straight lined. Patterson with a sub-par angle. Johnson could have seen that, but it wasn't his key.

Patterson probably with the best chance to get it.

streamable.com/ej5xrl

[FredFan7]

[FredFan7]

Jordan Whitehead separates the ball from Aaron Jones.

It was a clear fumble as Jones secured possession, took four steps and started to turn up field.

Also, props to umpire Barry Anderson as he hesitated, then hit the jets toward the end zone. Good reverse mechanics.

[FredFan7]

Side judge Boris Cheek flags Carlton Davis III, for illegal use of the helmet.

Replay clearly shows Davis lowering his head to deliver a blow to the ball carrier.

It's a tough, strict rule that Cheek correctly enforced.

streamable.com/dtuzkr

[FredFan7]

I had to step away for a chunk of the 4th quarter, so can someone grade the crew?

[russ]

Very good DPI call from Perry Paganelli at the end of the game. The call came late but King was holding the WR the entire time.

[FredFan7]

Ben from Football Zebras this this recap.

A quiet game outside of the 2-minute warnings

For the most part, the game moved along at a good pace with little controversy. The first flag of the game didn't come until the third quarter. That doesn't mean that everything went smoothly throughout.

As is typical in the playoffs, we saw a lot of leeway in the secondary for fouls. For instance, there was clear restriction on the receiver when the Bucs intercepted the ball after the 2-minute warning in the first half. When we get to the 2-minute warning in the second half, a first down to get closer to sealing the game comes by way of a defensive pass interference that is called. Yes, the second one was more of a disruptive and restrictive move, and was an obvious foul, even if subtle.

A few other marginal calls that appeared to be on the side of the margin we weren't expecting throughout the game; not all making the liveblog.

A good outing by the crew, but we had higher expectations from this all-star crew.